Combination tie end latch and reinforcing timber clamp

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a novel combination tie end latch and reinforcing timber clamp characterized by bracket means mountable for tiltable movement about a transverse axis intermediate its ends on either a concrete form tie or tie-like connector projecting from the face of a pouring form wall or some appurtenance thereto, a shelf formed on the inside face of the bracket means at one side of its axis of tiltable movement shaped to receive and hold a timber and an adjustable push-rod carried by the bracket means on the opposite side of its axis of tiltable movement from the shelf, said push-rod being operative to tilt the bracket means and bias a timber resting against the shelf into tight reinforcing relation against the form wall or another similar timber upon movement thereof from its retracted position into extended position. The invention also encompasses a construction wherein one such clamp is provided with a tie-like connector projecting therefrom upon which a second bracket is mounted as a clamp for a second timber. Included within the invention is a novel latch means comprising a keyslot in the bracket means adapted for detachable connection to the end of a form tie or other pin-forming element and a stop associated therewith that prevents the release of said detachable connection under load.

United States Patent i t Umstead I l COMBINATION TIE END LATCH AND REINFORCING TIMBER CLAMP [76] Inventor: William E. Umstead. I010 Ogden St. Denver. Colo. 8tl2l8 [22] Filed: Aug. I6- I973 [2]] App]. No.: 388.972

Primary E.raminer-Robert D. Baldwin Assistant Examiner-John McQuade Attorney Agent, or Firm-Edwin L. Spangler Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT This invention relates to a novel combination tie end v 30 wam s4 32 Y m June 10, 1975 latch and reinforcing timber clamp characterized by bracket means mountable for tiltable movement about a transverse axis intermediate its ends on either a concrete form tie or tie-like connector projecting from the face of a pouring form wall or some appurtenance thereto a shelf formed on the inside face of the bracket means at one side of its axis of tiltable move ment shaped to receive and hold a timber and an adjustable push-rod carried by the bracket means on the opposite side of its axis of tiltable movement from the shelf. said push-rod being operative to tilt the bracket means and bias a timber resting against the shelf into tight reinforcing relation against the form wall or another similar timber upon movement thereof from its retracted position into extended positionv The inven tion also encompasses a construction wherein one such clamp is provided with a tie-like connector projecting therefrom upon which a second bracket is mounted as a clamp for a second timber. Included within the invention is a novel latch means comprising a keyslot in the bracket means adapted for detachable connection to the end of a form tie or other pinforming element and a stop associated therewith that prevents the release of said detachable connection under load,

18 Claims, 23 Drawing Figures nun"- SriEET PATENTEDJUH 10 I975 Fm FigJZ Fig- 13 COMBINATION TIE END LATCH AND REINFORCING TIMBER CLAMP The majority of all foundation contractors use some type of reusable concrete pouring form, the simplest and most common comprising a series of sheet plywood held in fixed-spaced parallel relation by a plurality of metal ties passed through horizontallyaligned apertures therein. Several types of ties are in common use among which are rods, straps and wires that are variously bent, twisted, notched, and otherwise shaped to receive latch members which will detachably fasten onto the ends thereof that project onto the exposed faces of the fori walls to prevent their spreading apart under the hydrostatic loads imposed by the wet concrete. Some panel-forming systems are constructed stout enough to resist these hydrostatic forces without additional reinforcment while others demand both the use of either wales or studs bridging the joints between adjacent panels and, in addition, so-called strongbacks" spanning the gap left between two or more rows of the latter. It is to this type of externally-reinforced panel-forming system that the present invention re lates.

It is common practice in such forming systems to combine the functions of the tie end latch and the reinforcing timber clamp into a single dual-function unit. One common combination tie end latch and reinforcing timber clamp is that which utilizes a slotted wedge slidable down over the projecting end of the form tie and having the upper surface thereof formed to receive a horizontal wale and hold same against the adjoining form wall. Such a unit is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,174,203 issued to M. E. Kemper. Similar wedge-type tie end latches are found in .lahn U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,967,689 and 3,216,690, the main difference between the latter and the Kemper construction referred to previously being that the .lahn employs a wedge that swings on an eccentrically-located pivot and, therefore, has an arcuate tie-receiving slot therein in place of a straight one. A similar wedging action is found in another Gates & Sons patent, namely, U.S. Pat. No. 3,343,771 except that it uses arcuate fingers with inclined cam surfaces thereon that enter the loops in the ends of twisted wire concrete form ties and the like. Gates U.S. Pat. No. 3,363,877 shows slightly different versions of both the straight line slidable slotted wedge and the pivoted unit while another Gates U.S. Pat. No. 3,529,800 includes a pivoted unit that has an arcuate finger with a wedge-forming cam surface adapted to enter the loop in a loop-ended wire tie. In addition to the above wedge-type units are also shown in Symons U.S. Pat. No. 2,433,934, Colt U.S. Pat. No. 1,424,880, Hart U.S. Pat. No. 2,442,292, Podd U.S. Pat. No. 1,905,051 and Helmick U.S. Pat. No. 3,057,034.

Bosco U.S. Pat. No. 2,310,669 and Summers U.S. Pat. No. 1,920,607 deal with more rudimentary forms of tie end latches and reinforcing timber brackets, both of the above disclosing systems whereby the projecting tie ends are merely nailed to the timbers. Probably the most common way of reinforcing the form walls while, at the same time, fastening the reinforcing members to the projecting tie ends so as to maintain a fixed-spaced relation between said walls under load is to use loopended form ties and slide steel rods or sometimes wooden timbers through a row of aligned loops.

Applicant is also aware of U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,629,899, 2,637,889, 3,175,797, 3,218,687 and 3,315,937, all of which relate to the general subject of combination tie end latches and reinforcing timber clamps. Eriksson shows a traditional wedge again while Wells uses a cam arrangement, both of which have been discussed previously. Barnes employs a U-shaped saddle while both Dulleck and Wustholz call for vise-like members to hold the wales against the form walls. None of the latter patents are particularly pertient to the instant invention which uses the principal of rocking the bracket around a fulcrum defined by the projecting form tie end or other rigid projection to bias the timber into reinforcing relation. The rocking action is accomplished by means of an adjustable push-rod which, upon actuation, tilts the timber-carrying shelf inwardly toward the adjacent form wall.

The construction of the combination clamp and tie end latch just described that forms the subject matter hereof has many advantages over those in the prior art, none of which according to Applicants present knowledge employ his rocking action. To start with, not only is the timber securely 'held with a positive vise-like grip but, in addition, the rocking action of the bracket causes its upper margin to tilt inwardly thereagainst thus producing a generally trapezoidal timber-receiving channel from which the timber is most difficult to dislodge.

The adjustable push rod cooperates with the bracket and fulcrum about which the latter tilts to accommodate timbers of varying widths. This same feature enables the timbers to be both installed and removed without having to force them into place and no special tools are needed because it is only necessary to tighten the push-rod finger-tight to produce an adequate reinforcing relation.

Additionally, when under load, the bracket is securely locked to the tie end and cannot be removed. Should the operator fail to tighten the clamp, this fact is easily discerned by even a casual inspection. Also, the shelf supporting the reinforcing timber defines a stop that prevents it from dropping down on top of the projecting tie end to disengage same from its keyslot. This is the case regardless of whether the bracket is under load or includes a lock.

As far as applications are concerned, the unit is ideally suited for use with button-headed snap ties and notched or peripherally grooved she bolts while remaining readily adaptable for use with other common types of concrete form ties. It will handle horizontal wales or vertical studs and can be used right-side-up, sideways and even upside-down. By equipping one such bracket with a tie-like threaded extension, a second bracket can be stacked in front of the first to provide a double-layer of reinforcing timbers with strongbacks backing up the inner layer of wales or studs. In fact, these same extensions will accommodate other types of reinforcing timber clamps in the same way as the form ties themselves and they also define a handy means for attaching such accessories as scaffold brackets, braces, jacks and the like to the assembled forms.

Accordingly, it is, therefore, the principal object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved combination tie end latch and reinforcing timber clamp.

A second objective of the withindescribed invention is the provision of a device of the type aforementioned that can be used with either wales or studs and, in fact,

can be stacked to accept strongbacks bridging adjacent rows of the latter.

Another object is to provide a tie end latch which will accommodate both headed-snap ties and notched or peripherally-grooved she-bolts along with similar tielike threaded extensions that screw into another bracket of the same type.

Still another objective is the provision of a tie end latch and timber clamp combination that includes a keyslot and stop associated therewith that cooperate with one another to lock the tie in place when under load while, at the same time, permitting its use rightside-up, sideways and upside-down.

An additional objective of the invention herein disclosed and claimed is the provision of a so-called single liner bracket" for concrete pouring forms that does not damage the latter while providing adjustments that accommodate dimensional discrepancies therein and facilitates both the erection and stripping operations without having to exert undue force.

Further objects are to provide a combination tie end latch and timber clamp unit that is simple, lightweight, strong, reliable, easy to use, compact, rugged, versatile, relatively inexpensive and one that is adapted for use with existing pouring forms with little or no modification.

Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out specifically hereinafter in connection with the description of the drawings that follows, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view looking down and to the right upon a corner of a concrete panel form assembly employing the combination tie end latches and reinforcing timber clamps of the present invention to hold a network of wales and strongbacks against the form walls;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross section of the system of FIG. I to an enlarged scale and with portions broken away to conserve space;

FIG. 3 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view to approximately the same scale as FIG. 2 showing the combination unit preparatory to attaching same onto the projecting end of a she bolt type form tie;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation of the combination unit to the same scale as FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a section taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a section taken along line 66 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view to a scale between that of FIGS. I and 2 showing the details of one of the wale and strongback subassemblies on the outside form wall that utilizes two of the combination units fastened together in stacked relation by means of a tie-like extension rod as seen from a vantage point below and to the right thereof;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view like FIG. 7 and to the same scale as the latter further modified to substitute a C'shaped bracket for the second clamp holding the strongback in place;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view like FIGS. 7 and 8 showing the outside wall preparatory to adding the second combination unit to the extension rod depending from the first and also detailing the manner in which an L-shaped external spreader can be fastened to the wale and locked onto the annular groove encircling the shank of the she bolt;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIG. 3 and to the same scale showing an alternative embodiment of the unit having a stamped sheet metal bracket in place of the cast type shown in FIGS. 1 through 9 and a different kind of tie end lock in the form of an upstanding strip rather than a recessed socket in the neck of the keyslot',

FIG. 11 is a front elevation of the unit of FIG. 10 to the same scale as the latter;

FIG. 12 is a section taken along line 12l2 of FIG. I I;

FIG. 13 is a rear elevation;

FIG. 14 is a section taken along line 14-14 of FIG. l3;

FIG. 15 is an additional fragmentary perspective view much like FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 and to the same scale revealing yet another modified form of the basic combination unit in which the bracket is neither cast nor stamped, but rather, machined from a solid metal block preparatory to welding a shelf on the inside thereof;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view like both FIGS. 3 and 10 and to the same scale showing the alternative embodiment of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a front elevation of the unit of FIGS. I6 and 17;

FIG. 18 is a section taken along line l8-l8 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a section taken along line I9l9 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a section taken along line 2020 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view much like those of FIGS. 3, l0 and 16 except to a somewhat reduced scale showing the cast bracket of FIGS. 39 modified to eliminate the socket in the keyslot and replacing same with an inverted L-shaped lock;

FIG. 22 is a front elevation of the unit of FIG. 21; and,

FIG. 23 is a section taken along line 2323 of FIG. 22.

Referring next to the drawings for a detailed description of the present invention and, initially, to FIG. I for this purpose, reference numeral 10 has been selected to broadly designate a conventional panel-type concrete pouring form system having a series of sheet plywood panels 12 erected in edge-to-edge abutted relation to define inside and outside walls 14 and 16, respectively. These walls are erected atop a previouslypoured concrete footing (not shown) and are joined together across the concrete-receiving gap or void 18 therebetween by a plurality of form ties 20 passed through horizontally-aligned rows of tie slots 22 (FIG. 2). In the particular forming system illustrated in the drawings, all the form ties are of the so-called shebolt type which include a medial section 24 threaded on both ends to receive endpieces 26 and 28 which differ from one another but both of which have internallythreaded sockets on their adjacent ends that screw onto the medial section. Both endpieces have a head 30 separated from the shank 32 by a pair of notches 34 in the sides. The inside endpiece 26 includes a spreader 36 (FIG. 2) formed integral therewith while the outside endpiece 28 has an annular groove 38 inboard of the notches adapted for attachment to an external spreader 40 in the manner shown in FIG. 9. Since the outside endpiece 28 is designed to be withdrawn through the outside form wall, its tip 42 (FIGS. 7 and 9) is shaped to accept a wrench or other tool for unscrewing same from the medial section that remains embedded in the concrete,

In the case of the panel form system illustrated wherein the joints 44 between panels extend vertically, the wales 46 are horizontal and spaced one above the other in parallel relation as shown. These wales. of course. bridge joints between panels and may be backed up by vertically-extending strongbacks 48. The combination tie end latches and reinforcing timber clamps of the present invention have been designated broadly by reference numeral 50 and can be used as will be shown presently to fasten either the wales or strongbacks to the form walls in reinforcing relation thereto. Also, in those forming systems (not shown) where the joints extend horizontally instead of vertically, upright studs are used to bridge the joints between panels and the strongbacks extend horizontally. The combination units 50, nevertheless, work equally well with either type of forming system as they can be turned on their side as shown or even upside down, for that matter, as in the case of holding a wall panel to a so-called plate" or mudsill. The unit forming the subject matter of the present invention is, by no means, confined to the use of 2 4 wooden reinforcing members as they are equally well suited to use with metal and different sizes of timbers.

Next with reference to FIGS. 26, inclusive, the cast metal embodiment of the combination unit 50 will be set forth in detail. The bracket 52 has a cast metal body shaped to provide a transversely-extending horizontally-disposed shelf 54 on the vertical face 56 thereof remote from the user that cooperate with one another to define a step adapted to receive a wale 46 and prevent same from dropping donw onto the form tie that passes therebeneath. In the particular form shown, the shelf 54 is braced on both ends by integrally-formed webs 58 that border the side margins of the bracket body.

Immediately underneath shelf 54 is a keyslot 60 having the neck 62 thereof at the top and the relativeIy larger circular entryway 64 at the bottom. The entryway is sized to pass the head 30 on either the outside or inside endpieces 26 or 28 of a she-bolt or, alternatively, the corresponding head-forming elements found on other types of form ties such as, for example, the socalled button or rod ties having upset heads on both extremities. The neck 62 of the keyslot 60, on the other hand, is sized to receive the notches 34 separating the shank 32 from the head 34 so as to lock in behind the latter. In other types of ties having enlarged heads, the neck 62, of course, passes the shank itself.

One of the most significant features of the invention is the manner in which the shoulders 64 behind the head 30 of the form tie 20 define a fulcrum about which the bracket tilts while moving between its released position shown on the right in FIG. 2 and its clamped position shown on the left and elsewhere. In released position, the gap left between the exposed face 66 of the form wall and the remote surface 56 of the bracket is wider than the width of the reinforcing timher so that it can be inserted easily into position resting atop or against the shelf. Now. in order to rock the bracket 52 about its fulcrum so as to narrow the gap at the top thereof and tightly clamp a reinforcing timber against the form wall in reinforcing relation to the latter. a push-rod 68 is screwed through the internallythreaded hole 70 in the bottom thereof of a length sufficient to reach the adjacent exposed wall surface 66. Once the inner end of the push-rod 68 bears against the adjoining wall surface, continued rotation thereof causes the bracket to pivot about its fulcrum thereby narrowing the gap on the end thereof where the shelf is located until the timber is clamped firmly in place. A handle 72 in the form of a wing nut non-rotatably fastened to the threaded near end 74 of the push-rod facilitates turning same and it is seldom necessary to cinch it up more than "finger-tight although a wrench or other tool can be used if desired. Also, the handle can be replaced by other common tool-receiving end configurations of a type well known in the art. The remote end of the push-rod, on the other hand, is preferably fitted with an enlarged foot 78 that has an essentially planar wall-engaging face 80 of a size adapted to distribute the load and prevent denting of the form panels. In the particular form shown, push-rod 68 comprises nothing more than a five inch galvanized stove bolt with its threaded section 74 screwed through the threaded opening 70 in the bracket 52 preparatory to welding or otherwise fastening the wing nut 72 therein to form a handle. Then, rather than using the rounded head 82 on its opposite end as the panel-engaging foot, a large washer-like plate is fastened thereto by a pin 84 for limited rockable movement. The head of the pin is recessed into a socket 86 in the panel-engaging face 80, all of which is clearly revealed in FIGS. 2 and 6. The flat washer, of course, prevents the rounded stove bolt head from dimpling the panel and its loosely pinned connection permits the foot defined thereby to adjust to most unevenness or other irregularities in the surface of the form panel.

Shelf 54, as previously noted, supports the reinforcing timber when it is used in its normal upright position shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5; however, when laid on its side or turned upside down, shelf 54 no longer supports the timber, but instead defines a stop interposed between it and the shank of the form tie. Conceivably, the shelf 54 could be eliminated altogether and the timber allowed to rest directly against the shank of the tie, however, when it does the timber can disengage the tie from the neck of the keyslot and result in the rupture of the form. Accordingly, the best practice and by far the better design is to interpose the stop-forming shelf 54 between the timber and tie as shown.

Next, with reference once again to FIGS. 2-6, inclusive, an additional safety feature will be described, namely, a socket 88 in the near face of the bracket aligned with the neck 62 of the keyslot and sized to accept the head 30 of the form tie in recessed relation therein. As the head 30 of the form tie passes all the way through the entryway 64 of the keyslot 60, longitudinally along its near surface and then back into the socket 88, it is prevented when under load from reentering the entryway by opposed tongues 90 that separate the latter from said socket. The gap left between the adjacent ends of the stop-forming tongues is the same width as the neck 62 of the keyslot 60 and, therefore, if a size to pass the relatively narrower section of the tie therethrough that is produced by notches 34.

FIGS. 1, 7 and 9 to which reference will now be made show a method of stacking or ganging" the combination units so as to attach a series of strongbacks 48 in reinforcing relation behind the wales 46. To accomplish this objective, the bracket 52 is provided with a secondary internally-threaded opening 92 on the opposite end thereof from the pushrod opening 70. Into this opening is screwed the externally-threaded end of extension rod 94, the shank portion which is notched or grooved in the same manner as the she-bolt endpieces to produce a head 96 separated from the latter by a section of reduced cross-section 98 defining an inwardly facing shoulder or shoulders 100, all of which is most clearly revealed in FIG. 9. The location of threaded opening 92 is such that it is essentially centered on the wale 46 therebehind so that when a second combination unit 50 is added thereto and turned on its side as shown, the push-rod 68 thereof will be in position to bear against said wale or stud as the case may be. When the second unit is attached to the extension rod as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, it can be seen that the shelf 54 holds the strongback against the wale at right angles thereto and alongside the other combination unit hold ing the latter reinforcing timber in place. The operation of the strongback clamp is, of course, identical to that performed by the unit when it is being used to hold wales and studs against the form wall.

Briefly with reference to FIG. 8, an ordinary C- shaped bracket 102 with a bolt 104 therethrough has been substituted for the second combination unit 50 of FIG. 7 as the means for clamping the strongback in place. The threaded end of bolt 104 screws into threaded opening 92 in the wale bracket in the same way as extension rod 94 did in the previously-described assembly. The bolt passes through both the remote arm 106 and the relatively longer near arm 108 paralleling the stem portion 110 interconnecting the latter. The tip of the relatively longer arm 108 is turned in to define a hook 112 adapted to hook over the edge of the strongback.

FIG. 9 shows the extension rod 94 preparatory to having the second combination unit added thereto but, in addition, this same Figure together with FIGS. 1 and 2 reveals the manner in which the first such unit is used with a so-called external spreader 40. As is the case with bracket 52, the vertical flange 114 of the spreader contains a keyslot 116 adapted to detachably fasten onto the annular groove 38 in the shank of the outside she-bolt endpiece 28 shown in FIG. 2. After the circular entryway of the keyslot 116 has been passed over the shank of endpiece 28 and the neck dropped down into the groove 38 encircling the latter, its horizontal flange 118 is fastened to the underside of the wale with a nail as shown. With the spreader thus locked to the endpiece of the tie and the wale fastened to the spreader, the push rod will push against the vertical flange of the latter tilting bracket 52 against the wale, all without disturbing the outside form panel 14. Of course, as soon as the concrete fills the void between the form panels, the outside one will immediately move out against the wale which will perform its intended reinforcing function.

Referring next to FIGS. -14, inclusive, a slightly different form of the combination unit 50a has been illustrated in which the bracket 52a is stamped from a rectangular plate of sheet metal rather than being cast as was the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9. In forming bracket 52a, three apertures are punched therein, the first 120 being of a size to pass the threaded end of extension rod 94 and located in the same position above the modified keyslot 122 as internally threaded opening 92 of the earlier cast form. Before folding the side margins and bottom of the plate to produce the opentopped box-like configuration shown, a nut 124 is welded in place to the remote surface in registered relation with aperture 120. Thus nut and aperture cooperate with one another to define the internally-threaded opening 92a for the extension rod 94.

The third aperture 126 is below the keyslot 122 and cooperates with a second nut I28 welded to the plate therebehind to produce internally-threaded opening a through which the push rod 680 is screwed. Since the push rod must go all the way through the bracket 52a, a flap 130 is freed from the left side margin of the plate, foreshortened slightly and bent out at right angles to produce modified shelf 54a. The slot 132 left when the flap is cut loose along one side and turned up opens the remote face of the bracket and exposes both opening 700 for the push rod and keyslot 122 for the tie end.

To form the open-topped box-like bracket 540, a flap 134 at the lower edge of the plate is turned under to produce the bottom wall. The portions of the plate alongside the three vertically-aligned openings are turned inwardly into transversely-spaced parallel relation thus defining sidewalls 136 before having their marginal edges bent at right angles again into abutting edge-to-edge relationship so as to produce a rear wall 138 from which the shelf-forming flap 130 is freed.

The keyway 122 is punched in the front wall of the bracket and includes the usual circular entryway 64 and relatively narrower neck 62 adapted to cooperate with the tie 20 or extension rod in the same way as the keyslot 60 of the previously-described embodiment; however, the manner of locking the tie in the keyslot when under load is significantly different. Instead of recessing the head of the form tie in a socket 88 overlying the neck of the keyslot, the entryway 64 is bordered by a raised integrally formed rim 140 that defines a stop effective to prevent the head of the tie from re-entering said entryway when it is pulled up tight against the face of the bracket alongside the neck of the keyslot. In the particular form shown, the metal bordering the keyslot is drawn with a die to form the rim contemporaneously with broaching the hole. Also, it will be noted that in broaching the keyslot, the material bordering the neck also produces a slightly raised rim, however, it is elevated above the surface of the bracket considerably less than the rim bordering the entryway so as to leave a stop-forming shoulder 142 therebetween.

The push rod 68a is identical functionally with the one previously described in connection with FIGS. 1-9. The only difference between push rod 68 and push rod 68a is that the former has a handle formed from a wing nut while the latter has a different style in the form of a curved bar 72a.

A third embodiment is that illustrated in FIGS. 1640 to which detailed reference will now be made. This embodiment has been designated 50b and is quite similar to the first embodiment of FIGS. l-9 except that the bracket 52b is machined from a solid rectangular block of metal rather than being cast. The keyslot 60, push rod opening 70 and extension rod opening 92 are identical to the previously-described cast unit as is the socket 88 overlying the neck 62 of the keyslot into which the head of the tie recesses. The shelf 54b is slightly different in that instead of being cast integrally with the bracket body, it comprises a short section of channel iron welded to the remote face above the neck of the keyway. For all practical purposes, the push rod 68a is the same as the one used with the stamped version 50a even though the bar-type handle 72a is shown straight instead of slightly curved.

Finally. with reference to FIGS. 21, 22 and 23 another type of lock has been shown that is a substitute for the socket 88 overlying the neck 62 of the keyway 60 or the raised rim 140 bordering the entryway 64 in the FIGS. -15, version. This lock 144 comprises a generally L-shaped latch having the stem portion 146 thereof apertured to fit onto the shank of the push rod 68 adjacent the handle while its inturned tongue 148 enters the neck 62 of the keyslot near the point where it joins the entryway and thus defines a retractable stop preventing the form tie supported thereon from re entering said entryway. The width of the tongue is such as to easily enter the keyslot neck while, at the same time, effectively blocking same off. Once the push rod is snugged up against the form wall or reinforcing timber, the latch carried thereby cannot be retraacted. Conversely. when the push rod is released, the tongue can be withdrawn from the neck of the keyslot and turned aside thus freeing the tie end for movement into the entryway.

What is claimed is:

l. The combination tie end latch and reinforcing timber clamp which comprises: bracket means; latch means carried by said bracket means for detachably connecting same for tiltable movement about an axis intermediate its margins to a concrete form tie or the like in spaced relation to a fixed abutment; and, extendable means carried by said bracket means on one side of said axis of tiltable movement operative upon actuation to engage the fixed abutment and tilt the portion of said bracket means on the other side of said axis inwardly toward said abutment with a jaw-like action effective to clamp a reinforcing member against the latter when interposed therebetween.

2. The combination unit as set forth in claim 1 in which: the latch means comprises a keyslot defining an entryway sized to pass the enlarged head on the end of a form tie and a relatively narrower neck having the marginal areas bordering same spaced to lock behind the latter.

3. The combination unit as set forth in claim 1 in which: the extendable means comprises a push rod threadedly connected in the bracket means at a point spaced to one side of the latch means for relative movement between a retracted and an extended position.

4. The combination unit as set forth in claim 1 in which: shelf-forming means depends from said portion of the bracket means on the other side of the axis of tiltable movement, said shelf-forming means and said portion from which it depends cooperating with one another to define a step effective to receive and support a reinforcing member in spaced relation above the form tie to which said bracket means is detachably connected.

5. The combination unit as set forth in claim 1 in which: connecting means are carried by the bracket means on said portion thereof lying on the other side of its axis of tiltable movement, said connecting means being adapted to detachably receive a rigid extension to which a second bracket means or other clamping device can be attached.

6. The combination unit as set forth in claim 2 which includes: locking means defining a stop located between the neck and entryway of the keyslot, said lock- 10 ing means being effective to prevent the enlarged head of a form tie in said neck under load from re-entering said entryway.

7. The combination unit as set forth in claim 3 in which: a broad flat load-spreading means is affixed to the end of the push rod remote from the bracket means.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 3 in which: means for rotating the push rod is carried on the end thereof adjacent the bracket means.

9. The combination unit as set forth in claim 5 in which: the connecting means comprises an aperture.

10. The combination unit as set forth in claim 5 in which: the connecting means comprises an internallythreaded socket.

11. The combination unit as set forth in claim 6 in which: the locking means comprises a socket in the bracket means overlying the neck of the keyslot and sized to receive the enlarged head in recessed relation therein.

12. The combination unit as set forth in claim 6 in which: the locking means comprises a raised rim bor dering the entryway.

13. The combination unit as set forth in claim 6 in which: the locking means comprises an L-shaped element having a stem portion connected to the extendable means and a tongue sized and located to enter the neck of the keyslot in supporting relation to that portion of the form tie housed therein.

14. The combination unit as set forth in claim 7 in which: the load-spreading means is attached to the push rod for limited relative tiltable movement.

15. The combination unit as set forth in claim 8 in which: the means for rotating the push rod comprises a handle non-rotatably mounted on said end thereof adjacent the bracket means.

16. The combination unit as set forth in claim 9 in which: the aperture is circular and internally threaded.

17. The combination tie end latch and reinforcing timber clamp which comprises: first bracket means; latch means carried by said first bracket means for detachably connecting same for tiltable movement about an axis intermediate its margin to a concrete form tie or the like in spaced relation to a fixed abutment; extendable means carried by said first bracket means on one side of said axis of tiltable movement operative upon actuation to engage the fixed abutment and tilt the portion of said first bracket means on the other side of said axis inwardly toward said abutment with a jawlike action effective to clamp a reinforcing timber clamp against the latter when interposed therebetween; means depending from the first bracket means on said portion thereof on the other side of its axis of tiltable movement defining a rigid extension effective to detachably receive a second bracket means in stacked relation; second bracket means: latch means carried by said second bracket means detachably connectable to said rigid extension means for tiltable movement about an axis normal to the axis of tiltable movement of the first bracket means; and, extendable means carried by said second bracket means operative upon actuation to engage a reinforcing member clamped in place against a fixed abutment by the first bracket means and tilt said second bracket means in a direction effective to clamp a second reinforcing member against the first when interposed therebetween.

18. The combination unit as set forth in claim 17 in which: the rigid extension means comprises a rod with an enlarged head on one end thereof having its other end detachably connectable to the first bracket means. 

1. The combination tie end latch and reinforcing timber clamp which comprises: bracket means; latch means carried by said bracket means for detachably connecting same for tiltable movement about an axis intermediate its margins to a concrete form tie or the like in spaced relation to a fixed abutment; and, extendable means carried by said bracket means on one side of said axis of tiltable movement operative upon actuation to engage the fixed abutment and tilt the portion of said bracket means on the other side of said axis inwardly toward said abutment with a jaw-like action effective to clamp a reinforcing member against the latter when interposed therebetween.
 2. The combination unit as set forth in claim 1 in which: the latch means comprises a keyslot defining an entryway sized to pass the enlarged head on the end of a form tie and a relatively narrower neck having the marginal areas bordering same spaced to lock behind the latter.
 3. The combination unit as set forth in claim 1 in which: the extendable means comprises a push rod threadedly connected in the bracket means at a point spaced to one side of the latch means for reLative movement between a retracted and an extended position.
 4. The combination unit as set forth in claim 1 in which: shelf-forming means depends from said portion of the bracket means on the other side of the axis of tiltable movement, said shelf-forming means and said portion from which it depends cooperating with one another to define a step effective to receive and support a reinforcing member in spaced relation above the form tie to which said bracket means is detachably connected.
 5. The combination unit as set forth in claim 1 in which: connecting means are carried by the bracket means on said portion thereof lying on the other side of its axis of tiltable movement, said connecting means being adapted to detachably receive a rigid extension to which a second bracket means or other clamping device can be attached.
 6. The combination unit as set forth in claim 2 which includes: locking means defining a stop located between the neck and entryway of the keyslot, said locking means being effective to prevent the enlarged head of a form tie in said neck under load from re-entering said entryway.
 7. The combination unit as set forth in claim 3 in which: a broad flat load-spreading means is affixed to the end of the push rod remote from the bracket means.
 8. The combination as set forth in claim 3 in which: means for rotating the push rod is carried on the end thereof adjacent the bracket means.
 9. The combination unit as set forth in claim 5 in which: the connecting means comprises an aperture.
 10. The combination unit as set forth in claim 5 in which: the connecting means comprises an internally-threaded socket.
 11. The combination unit as set forth in claim 6 in which: the locking means comprises a socket in the bracket means overlying the neck of the keyslot and sized to receive the enlarged head in recessed relation therein.
 12. The combination unit as set forth in claim 6 in which: the locking means comprises a raised rim bordering the entryway.
 13. The combination unit as set forth in claim 6 in which: the locking means comprises an L-shaped element having a stem portion connected to the extendable means and a tongue sized and located to enter the neck of the keyslot in supporting relation to that portion of the form tie housed therein.
 14. The combination unit as set forth in claim 7 in which: the load-spreading means is attached to the push rod for limited relative tiltable movement.
 15. The combination unit as set forth in claim 8 in which: the means for rotating the push rod comprises a handle non-rotatably mounted on said end thereof adjacent the bracket means.
 16. The combination unit as set forth in claim 9 in which: the aperture is circular and internally threaded.
 17. The combination tie end latch and reinforcing timber clamp which comprises: first bracket means; latch means carried by said first bracket means for detachably connecting same for tiltable movement about an axis intermediate its margin to a concrete form tie or the like in spaced relation to a fixed abutment; extendable means carried by said first bracket means on one side of said axis of tiltable movement operative upon actuation to engage the fixed abutment and tilt the portion of said first bracket means on the other side of said axis inwardly toward said abutment with a jaw-like action effective to clamp a reinforcing timber clamp against the latter when interposed therebetween; means depending from the first bracket means on said portion thereof on the other side of its axis of tiltable movement defining a rigid extension effective to detachably receive a second bracket means in stacked relation; second bracket means; latch means carried by said second bracket means detachably connectable to said rigid extension means for tiltable movement about an axis normal to the axis of tiltable movement of the first bracket means; and, extendable means carried by said second bracket means operative upon actuation to engage a reinforcing member clamped in place agaInst a fixed abutment by the first bracket means and tilt said second bracket means in a direction effective to clamp a second reinforcing member against the first when interposed therebetween.
 18. The combination unit as set forth in claim 17 in which: the rigid extension means comprises a rod with an enlarged head on one end thereof having its other end detachably connectable to the first bracket means. 